The Price of Knowledge

The sunrise is due in an hour, but the village was already bustling. This night everyone in Rivervale was awoken by a thunderous explosion from somewhere in the woods, away from the capital. Guards and priests of the church were on standby, in case it was the attack from the east. The end of the Kingdom's influence was less than a day of travels that way, so the distress was very tangible.

Every villager expected troops from that direction, but one man. Father Gregor was the only person in the Rivervale who knew that east of the settlement was a hut of Verden, his old friend. Verden intentionally was making a detour to enter the Rivervale from south to avoid suspicion, so Gregor was guarding southern gates, hoping to see a familiar face in the woods. The lantern he held didn't give off a lot of light, and it was barely enough to notice a movement from behind the trees. What he saw gave him shivers.

He saw a teen, no more than 15 years old, every inch of his body covered in dirt. His hair was soiled so much, it was impossible to deduce its color. The robe was torn in many places and drenched in mud, hanging on his small frame.

Gregor began walking forward, warning the guard that he knew this person. First he walked slowly, but the worry pushed him forward faster and faster, until he reached the boy.

"Sirius, it's me Gregor. Where is..." He said, lifting the lantern. As soon as light touched boy's face, Gregor gasped. The golden eyes of the boy were bloodshot and wide open, his gaze unfocused, streaks of tears marking his dirt covered cheeks.

Not saying a word he tightly hugged the boy. Only then the strength left Sirius' body and he collapsed into Gregor's arms, and he began wailing, finally giving into his emotions. Gregor gently lifted the boy and carried him towards the village.

"Who's that, Gregor?" A guard asked him, ready to defend his friend in case of the trap.

"Verden's disciple" He answered calmly "He is in state of shock, I need to bring him to the church to rest."

"Verden? Didn't know this hermit had any disciples"

"It's not like he kept it a secret, you know. If you talked more with people you would know that such a renown healer had an apprentice."

Their dialogue was cut short by terrified shouts from eastern wall. Someone spotted a tree made entirely out of crystals in the distance, as the sunshine refracted in its multifaceted surface. It towered over the surrounding forest, dwarfing even the highest trees. Its trunk was extremely windy, like it was made of ropes. It curved from side to side and threatened to fall every minute, but the hard material stood strong, unmoving, like a mountain. And, the most terrifyingly, it stood where Verden lived.

Gregor shook his head, chasing away a whirlwind of thoughts that took place in his head, and hurried to the hospital. Internally he began connecting the dots, and he didn't like what was the result of his reasoning.